Modern Vespa

I started riding a lot more at night and wanted more "conspicuity," a strange word that I hadn't encountered previously. Anyway, after much pondering, I made the pre-1942 U.S. Army Air Force markings, substituting gold for blue. (They changed it because, to gunners, the red looked too much like the Japanese planes.) The white is S.O.L.A.S. tape from Aerostich and the red and yellow are "3M's Best Diamond" reflective tape I got on ebay.

I used to do a lot of furniture making (during the 1970's), but haven't made anything in years. I'd forgotten how you can get lost in a project and hours fly by. And I'd also forgotten how you have to figure stuff out on the fly and you might make some mistakes along the way. It was fun and easy while at the same time it was a little complex too, requiring a compass, drawing, cutting, etc. I also put some monochromatic white on the front and red on the rear. That new top case afforded a terrific canvas for graphics. I could have done any of a number of striking geometric patterns; but, in the end, decided to "keep it simple, stupid." People (in the U,S) are brainwashed to slow when they see a yellow sigh of that shape, so what could be more powerful? (I have a red octagon in back, same principle.)

P.S. One last thing, They all reflect like crazy (day and night). Still I think yellow reflects the best.

Very nice!

Definitely achieved conspicuity (thanks for the new word). What do you have reflecting on the bar end?

Those are pretty cool 8)

Nice job!


Got any more ideas?

Well done!

And wow, do they reflect!

Very nice. They really do reflect. You should sell them. Might make some gas money or even more, think of the mods you could do.. Seriously. How many miles do you have on him now?

Those are attractive and extremely effective. Now the wife can find you after dark with the flash light from the junk drawer. May I inquire what type reflective tape you used and where you acquired this?

Just a round piece of S.O.L.A.S.; but I think I'll overlay it with a triangle of yellow, which I've decided reflects the best and is in keeping with my "yellow on the side" theme..

I put them on a few days ago and have received some nice compliments. On the selling angle: I'm too rich (a Hippie) to work; but you're right in that the sky's the limit on creative permutations. There are other colors on ebay too.

As far as further mods, the only one I think I'd like (after dog-leg levers, front and tail-light modulators, a loud horn, an audicator, a righteous top case, mirrors that don't extend beyond the levers for much easier filtering, and a brighter headlight bulb) is get a pipe that makes a nice sound, like a Triumph (which I once had). But my dealer, who shall be nameless, is dead set against them so no soap. Anyway what I have now isn't that bad. A lot of times all I hear is the woosh of the wind and not the motor at all. I remember people saying gliding was great because all you heard was the wind on the wings.

Are you a boy or a girl? (I know you're probably a male human person. I just have to be a comedian is all). With regards to the ad below on scootering across Egypt: I don't want to be a prig, prude, or puritan; but what American or European without a death wish would do that right now (without the IDF backing him up, and even then..)? I read where tourism to Egypt is in the toilet (pardon my French).

http://www.CrossEgyptChallenge.com/